U.S. patent number 9,474,953 [Application Number 14/498,822] was granted by the patent office on 2016-10-25 for system, method and processor-readable medium for wirelessly tracking basketball shots.
The grantee listed for this patent is Jason Duke. Invention is credited to Jason Duke.
United States Patent |
9,474,953 |
Duke |
October 25, 2016 |
System, method and processor-readable medium for wirelessly
tracking basketball shots
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a wireless basketball shot
tracking system, method and processor-readable medium that allows a
basketball player to train shooting from different locations and/or
with different styles as instructed by a hands-free-portable
electronic device, and to track the results by a shot detector
placed on the backboard or hoop. The shot detector is in wireless
communication with the hands-free-portable electronic device. The
electronic device stores whether shots are made or missed from the
various shooting locations or styles, and provides real-time
shooting percentages of basketball players during basketball
shooting sessions. The electronic device interfaces with external
devices via a wired or wireless communications port for uploading
or downloading program updates or shooting session data.
Inventors: |
Duke; Jason (Delray Beach,
FL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Duke; Jason |
Delray Beach |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
57137367 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/498,822 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
13217394 |
Aug 25, 2011 |
8845461 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
71/0669 (20130101); A63B 24/0021 (20130101); A63B
69/00 (20130101); G09B 19/0038 (20130101); A63B
69/0071 (20130101); A63B 2220/62 (20130101); A63B
2225/50 (20130101); A63B 63/083 (20130101); A63B
2220/64 (20130101); A63B 71/0622 (20130101); A63B
2220/802 (20130101); A63B 24/0075 (20130101); A63B
2071/0663 (20130101); A63B 2220/801 (20130101); A63B
2220/72 (20130101); A63B 2220/833 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/00 (20060101); A63B 63/00 (20060101); A63B
67/00 (20060101); A63B 71/06 (20060101); A63B
24/00 (20060101); A63B 63/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;473/447,450,472,476,480 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Deodhar; Omkar
Assistant Examiner: Lee; Wei
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rizvi; H. John Gold & Rizvi,
P.A
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional
patent application Ser. No. 13/217,394, filed Aug. 25, 2011, which
in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/344,627, filed Sep. 1, 2010, all of which are incorporated
herein in their entirety.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A wireless basketball shot tracking system for tracking real
time shooting data of basketball shooting sessions, said wireless
basketball shot tracking system comprising: a hands-free-portable
electronic device comprising: a processor, memory, and an RF
receiver; a power source; a user interface for providing sensory
indications to a user; a shot detector in wireless communication
with said hands-free-portage electronic device, said shot detector
including a power source, an RF transmitter, and at least one of a
vibration sensor, an activator, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic
motion sensor and a motion detector, wherein said shot detector is
mountable to a basketball backboard, hoop, net or combination
thereof; wherein said hands-free-portable electronic device memory
comprises an executable set of instructions to cause the
hands-free-portable electronic device to perform the operations of:
a) obtaining a specific basketball shooting style or location from
which to carry out a shot, by either reading information from the
memory pertaining to said specific shooting style or location or by
randomly generating said specific shooting style or location; b)
providing a sensory indication via the user interface corresponding
to said specific shooting style or location; c) receiving a signal
from the shot detector, containing information indicating whether
the shot has been made or missed; d) storing said information
indicating whether the shot has been made or missed, in association
with said specific shooting style or location; e) repeating steps
(a) through (d) a plurality of times, to provide a sequence of
basketball shooting style or location sensory indications via the
user interface that the user can follow as a training guide.
2. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1, wherein
the user interface comprises a display, and wherein the sensory
indication corresponding to the specific shooting style or location
comprises a visual indication provided on the display.
3. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 2, wherein
the display operatively depicts at least part of a basketball
court, and the sensory indication corresponding to the specific
shooting style or location comprises a mark on said at least part
of a basketball court.
4. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1, wherein
the user interface comprises a sound emitter, and wherein the
sensory indication corresponding to the specific shooting style or
location comprises an audible indication provided by the sound
emitter.
5. The wireless basketball shot racking system of claim 1, wherein
the user interface comprises a haptic actuator, and wherein the
sensory indication corresponding to the specific shooting style or
location comprises a tactile indication provided by the haptic
actuator.
6. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1, wherein
said hands-free-portable electronic device user interface is
operable by the user to provide an input to the hands-free-portable
electronic device processor.
7. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1, wherein
said hands-free-portable electronic device further includes a
communications port for transmitting and/or receiving digital
information to and/or from an external electronic device.
8. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 7, wherein
said hands-free-portable electronic device memory further comprises
an executable set of instructions to cause the hands-free-portable
electronic device to perform the operation of transmitting stored
information indicating whether a plurality of shots have been made
or missed, and their associated specific shooting style or
location, via said communications port.
9. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1, wherein
said activator comprises an elongated paddle having a proximal end
and a distal end, said proximal end pivotably connected to a main
body of said shot detector.
10. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 9,
wherein said shot detector is configured to be situated on said
hoop such that said paddle extends along a horizontal plane within
a central region of said hoop and said paddle distal end is
arranged in said central region.
11. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1,
wherein said shot detector comprises at least one vibration sensor
and an activator, and wherein said hands-free-portable electronic
device memory comprises an executable set of instructions to cause
the hands-free-portable electronic device to perform the operations
of: receiving a signal from the shot detector indicating a
vibration has been detected by at least one vibration sensor;
starting a predetermined time counter; storing information
indicating the shot has been missed, in association with said
specific style or location, in the event that the predetermined
time counter expires without having received a signal from the shot
detector indicating the activator has made a positive
detection.
12. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1,
further including a telescoping pole having a tip, said tip
removably engaging with said shot detector to elevate said shot
detector from the ground to attach said shot detector to said
hoop.
13. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1,
wherein said hands-free-portable electronic device memory comprises
an executable set of instructions corresponding to a program mode
for storing a plurality of programs and a plurality of basketball
shooting styles or locations, each of said plurality of programs
associated with one or more of said plurality of basketball
shooting styles or locations.
14. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1,
wherein said hands-free-portable electronic device further
comprises an executable set of instructions corresponding to a play
mode for providing real time shot data to a user via said user
interface, said real time shot data including percentages or ratios
of made and/or missed basketball shots.
15. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1,
wherein said hands-free-portable electronic device memory further
comprises an executable set of instructions to cause the
hands-free-portable electronic device to perform the operations of:
f) receiving a user input from said user interface; and g) in
dependence of said user input, switching between an operational
mode in which step a) is carried out by randomly generating said
specific shooting style or location, and an operational mode in
which step a) is carried out by reading information from the memory
pertaining to said specific shooting style or location, said
information being comprised in a predefined shooting style or
location sequence stored in said memory.
16. The wireless basketball shot tracking system of claim 1,
wherein said hands-free-portable electronic device is at least one
of a smartphone, a portable media player, a PDA, an electronic
device that is wearable on a body part of a user, and any
combination thereof.
17. A wireless basketball shot tracking method, carried out by a
hands-free-portable electronic device comprising a processor,
memory, an RF receiver, a power source, and a user interface for
providing sensory indications to a user, said method comprising the
steps of: a) obtaining a specific basketball shooting style or
location from which to carry out a shot, by either reading
information from said memory pertaining to said specific shooting
style or location or by randomly selecting a specific shooting
style or location from a set of different shooting styles or
locations stored in said memory; b) providing a sensory indication
via said user interface corresponding to said specific shooting
style or location; c) receiving a signal from a shot detector via
said RF receiver, said signal containing information indicating
whether the shot has been made or missed; d) storing said
information indicating whether the shot has been made or missed, in
association with said specific shooting style or location; e)
repeating steps (a) through (d) a plurality of times, to provide a
sequence of basketball shooting style or location sensory
indications via the user interface that the user can follow as a
training guide.
18. The wireless basketball shot tracking method of claim 17,
further comprising the steps of: f) detecting a user input on said
user interface; and g) in dependence of said user input, switching
between an operational mode in which step a) is carried out by
randomly selecting said specific shooting style or location, and an
operational mode in which step a) is carried out by reading
information from said memory pertaining to said specific shooting
style or location, said information being comprised in a predefined
shooting style or location sequence stored in said memory.
19. A non-transitory processor-readable medium having
processor-executable instructions stored thereon that, when
executed by an electronic processor, cause the processor to carry
out the operations of: a) obtaining a specific basketball shooting
style or location from which to carry out a shot, by either reading
information from a memory pertaining to said specific shooting
style or location or by randomly selecting a specific shooting
style or location from a set of different shooting style or
locations stored in a memory; b) providing a sensory indication via
a user interface corresponding to said specific shooting style or
location; c) receiving a signal from a shot detector via an RF
receiver, said signal containing information indicating whether the
shot has been made or missed; d) storing said information
indicating whether the shot has been made or missed, in association
with said specific shooting style or location; e) repeating steps
(a) through (d) a plurality of times, to provide a sequence of
basketball shooting style or location sensory indications via the
user interface that the user can follow as a training guide.
20. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 19,
further comprising processor-executable instructions stored thereon
that, when executed by an electronic processor, cause the processor
to carry out the operations of: f) detecting a user input on said
user interface; and g) in dependence of said user input, switching
between an operational mode in which step a) is carried out by
randomly selecting said specific shooting style or location, and an
operational mode in which step a) is carried out by reading
information from said memory pertaining to said specific shooting
style or location, said information being comprised in a predefined
shooting style or location sequence stored in said memory.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to sports training devices
or systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a
wireless basketball shot tracking system, method and
processor-readable medium involving a hands-free-portable portable
electronic device that is in wireless electrical communication with
a shot detector for instructing a basketball player where to shoot
from, how to shoot, or both, and automatically tracking real-time
shooting percentages of the basketball player from the instructed
shooting styles or locations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Basketball is a popular sport played by professionals and amateurs
alike and is also a wide-viewed sport that is typically broadcasted
on national and local television. The game is often played in
schoolyard playgrounds, at parks, in residential driveways, and at
local recreational centers. An organized basketball game is played
on a basketball court having a playing surface that consists of a
generally rectangular floor and two basketball goals that are
disposed at opposite ends of the basketball court and typically
positioned ten feet from the court. A basketball goal includes a
round metal rim or hoop that is secured to backboard which is
attached to a frame, and netting that is suspended from the rim.
The diameter of the basketball hoop is larger than that of a
basketball to allow the ball to fall through the hoop during play.
The playing surface includes a number of geometric markings, such
as circles, arcs, and a variety of straight and curved lines, that
define the playing boundaries prescribed by game rules. Teams
compete against each other over the course of 2 to 3 hours where
players assume offensive and defensive roles while attempting to
score points by throwing a basketball through the opponent's
basketball hoop. The team with the most points wins.
During the basketball game, players normally employ guard, center
and forward positions on the basketball court. More particularly,
the playing positions are typically defined as point guard,
shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. Each
player assumes a particular position based on the player's
performance skills. For example, the player assigned to a point
guard position is usually the person who is the team's best
basketball handler and passer, and a shooting guard is usually the
team's best basketball shooter.
Many individuals simply enjoy the opportunity to shoot basketballs
without having to follow particular rules or participate in
officiated games. As such, the game is often played with fewer
players and basketball shots are made on a basketball goal that is
often attached to a garage, or fixed to a frame that is secured to
a base having a ballast. Whether on a team or playing solo,
basketball players consistently strive to gain the satisfaction of
improving the frequency of successful basketball shots.
Players constantly train to perfect their shooting and handling
skills of the basketball on the court. A player must develop good
balance, coordination, concentration, form and technique, and must
also master the ability to make successful shots on goal from
various positions on the basketball court. Players spend countless
hours practicing a variety of different shots that generally
include two-handed shots, one-handed shots, jump shots, hook shots,
lay-up shots, one-handed underhand, three-point shots, and bank
shots. Since repetitive shots are often made from a single location
on the basketball court, the practicing player often becomes
accustomed to this level of comfort thereby diminishing the
player's ability and confidence to make successful shots from
different locations on the court. To improve the frequency rate of
successful shots made on basketball goal, it is important for
individual players to practice their shooting skills by shooting
basketballs from different locations on the basketball court. To
better assist individual players in improving their shooting
skills, and gaining confidence in their shooting abilities, many
players have employed the help of shooting aids.
There are a number of shooting aids on the market today that are
designed to help a basketball player improve his/her shooting
skills. Examples of shooting aids include: video camera based
tracking systems that capture images of shot trajectories;
mechanical braces used on an individual's arm, wrist or hand to
help position the extremities in proper angle for successfully
shooting a basketball within a hoop; spot location devices, such as
floor mats or position markers that are placed on a playing surface
to indicate shot locations to a player from where to make
basketball shots; gesture recognition systems that include a
plurality of markers fixed to a person's body to permit a camera to
capture and analyze body movements during play; sophisticated
computer analysis systems including complex software used for
analyzing a basketball player's performance; and finally, a variety
of self-contained electronic devices that are attached to a player
to provide an audio or illuminated signal to indicate improper
positioning of a player, or an indication of a successful shot
being made.
Many conventional shooting aid devices or systems are too complex
or sophisticated to integrate for use, are expensive, and require
time consuming assembly. Other devices are bulky to use, non-user
friendly, and are simply ineffective in assisting basketball
players for improving their shooting skills. Further, such devices
fail to provide a method of being able to keep track of a person's
shooting percentages during a basketball shooting session, and to
provide a historical log of information for a person to review and
analyze to help determine whether improvements are being made over
time. Conventional aids that do provide a data log, fail to assist
a player in improving their shooting skills from different shooting
locations on the basketball court.
Accordingly, what is desired is a basketball shooting aid system
that improves a person's shooting performance from multiple
locations on a basketball court, monitors and records real-time
shooting percentages of basketball players during shooting
sessions, and provides historical data for performance review.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies known in prior art
by providing a wireless basketball shot tracking system and method
capable of instructing the player where to shoot from, how to
shoot, or both, detecting whether the shot was made, and storing
information pertaining to whether the shot was made together with
information on the shooting style or location where the player was
instructed to shoot from. These steps are performed repeatedly,
generating a sequence of shooting styles or locations either
randomly or according to predefined training programs. The shooting
instructions may be visual, audible and/or tactile. The system
consists mainly of a portable electronic device which can be worn
or carried by the user without the use of his or her hands, and a
shot detector configured to be placed on the backboard and/or hoop.
The portable electronic device and the shot detector communicate
over radiofrequency (RF).
Introducing a first embodiment of the invention, the present
invention consists of a wireless basketball shot tracking system
for tracking real time shooting data of basketball shooting
sessions, the wireless basketball shot tracking system
comprising:
a hands-free-portable electronic device comprising: a processor,
memory, and an RF receiver; a power source; a user interface for
providing sensory indications to a user;
a shot detector in wireless communication with the
hands-free-portable electronic device, the shot detector including
a power source, an RF transmitter, and at least one of a vibration
sensor, an activator, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic motion
sensor and a motion detector, wherein the shot detector is
mountable to a basketball backboard, hoop, net or combination
thereof; wherein
the hands-free-portable electronic device memory comprises an
executable set of instructions to cause the hands-free-portable
electronic device to perform the operations of: a) obtaining a
specific basketball shooting style or location from which to carry
out a shot, by either reading information from the memory
pertaining to the specific shooting style or location or by
randomly generating the specific shooting style or location; b)
providing a sensory indication via the user interface corresponding
to the specific shooting style or location; c) receiving a signal
from the shot detector, containing information indicating whether
the shot has been made or missed; d) storing the information
indicating whether the shot has been made or missed, in association
with the specific shooting style or location; e) repeating steps
(a) through (d) a plurality of times, to provide a sequence of
basketball shooting style or location sensory indications via the
user interface that the user can follow as a training guide.
In a second aspect, the user interface comprises a display, and the
sensory indication corresponding to the specific shooting style or
location comprises a visual indication provided on the display.
In another aspect, the display operatively depicts at least part of
a basketball court, and the sensory indication corresponding to the
specific shooting style or location comprises a mark on the at
least part of a basketball court.
In another aspect, the user interface comprises a sound emitter or
generator, and the sensory indication corresponding to the specific
shooting style or location comprises an audible indication provided
by the sound emitter.
In another aspect, the user interface comprises a haptic actuator,
and the sensory indication corresponding to the specific shooting
style or location comprises a tactile indication provided by the
haptic actuator.
In another aspect, the hands-free-portable electronic device user
interface is operable by the user to provide an input to the
hands-free-portable electronic device processor.
In another aspect, the hands-free-portable electronic device
further includes a communications port for transmitting and/or
receiving digital information to and/or from an external electronic
device.
In another aspect, the hands-free-portable electronic device memory
further comprises an executable set of instructions to cause the
hands-free-portable electronic device to perform the operation of
transmitting stored information indicating whether a plurality of
shots have been made or missed, and their associated specific
shooting style or location, via the communications port.
In another aspect, the activator comprises an elongated paddle
having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end pivotably
connected to a main body of the shot detector.
In another aspect, the shot detector is configured to be situated
on the hoop such that the paddle extends along a horizontal plane
within a central region of the hoop and the paddle distal end is
arranged in the central region.
In another aspect, the shot detector comprises at least one
vibration sensor and an activator, and the hands-free-portable
electronic device memory comprises an executable set of
instructions to cause the hands-free-portable electronic device to
perform the operations of:
receiving a signal from the shot detector indicating a vibration
has been detected by at least one vibration sensor;
starting a predetermined time counter;
storing information indicating the shot has been missed, in
association with said specific style or location, in the event that
the predetermined time counter expires without having received a
signal from the shot detector indicating the activator has made a
positive detection.
In another aspect, the system further includes a telescoping pole
having a tip, the tip removably engaging with the shot detector to
elevate the shot detector from the ground to attach the shot
detector to the hoop.
In another aspect, the hands-free-portable electronic device memory
comprises an executable set of instructions corresponding to a
program mode for storing a plurality of programs and a plurality of
basketball shooting styles or locations, each of the plurality of
programs associated with one or more of the plurality of basketball
shooting styles or locations.
In another aspect, the hands-free-portable electronic device
further comprises an executable set of instructions corresponding
to a play mode for providing real time shot data to a user via the
user interface, the real time shot data including percentages or
ratios of made and/or missed basketball shots.
In another aspect, the hands-free-portable electronic device memory
further comprises an executable set of instructions to cause the
hands-free-portable electronic device to perform the operations of:
f) receiving a user input from the user interface; and g) in
dependence of the user input, switching between an operational mode
in which step a) is carried out by randomly generating the specific
shooting style or location, and an operational mode in which step
a) is carried out by reading information from the memory pertaining
to the specific shooting style or location, the information being
comprised in a predefined shooting style or location sequence
stored in the memory.
In another aspect, the hands-free-portable electronic device is at
least one of a smartphone, a portable media player, a PDA, an
electronic device that is wearable on a body part of a user, and
any combination thereof.
Introducing another embodiment of the invention, the present
invention consists of a wireless basketball shot tracking method,
carried out by a hands-free-portable electronic device comprising a
processor, memory, an RF receiver, a power source, and a user
interface for providing sensory indications to a user, the method
comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a specific basketball
shooting style or location from which to carry out a shot, by
either reading information from the memory pertaining to the
specific shooting style or location or by randomly selecting a
specific shooting style or location from a set of different
shooting styles or locations stored in the memory; b) providing a
sensory indication via the user interface corresponding to the
specific shooting style or location; c) receiving a signal from a
shot detector via the RF receiver, the signal containing
information indicating whether the shot has been made or missed; d)
storing the information indicating whether the shot has been made
or missed, in association with the specific shooting style or
location; e) repeating steps (a) through (d) a plurality of times,
to provide a sequence of basketball shooting style or location
sensory indications via the user interface that the user can follow
as a training guide.
In a second aspect, the method further comprises the steps of: f)
detecting a user input on the user interface; and g) in dependence
of the user input, switching between an operational mode in which
step a) is carried out by randomly selecting the specific shooting
style or location, and an operational mode in which step a) is
carried out by reading information from the memory pertaining to
the specific shooting style or location, the information being
comprised in a predefined shooting style or location sequence
stored in the memory.
Introducing yet another embodiment of the invention, the present
invention consists of a non-transitory processor-readable medium
having processor-executable instructions stored thereon that, when
executed by an electronic processor, cause the processor to carry
out the operations of: a) obtaining a specific basketball shooting
style or location from which to carry out a shot, by either reading
information from a memory pertaining to the specific shooting style
or location or by randomly selecting a specific shooting style or
location from a set of different shooting styles or locations
stored in a memory; b) providing a sensory indication via a user
interface corresponding to the specific shooting style or location;
c) receiving a signal from a shot detector via an RF receiver, the
signal containing information indicating whether the shot has been
made or missed; d) storing the information indicating whether the
shot has been made or missed, in association with the specific
shooting style or location; e) repeating steps (a) through (d) a
plurality of times, to provide a sequence of basketball shooting
style or location sensory indications via the user interface that
the user can follow as a training guide.
In a second aspect, the non-transitory processor-readable medium
further comprises processor-executable instructions stored thereon
that, when executed by an electronic processor, cause the processor
to carry out the operations of: f) detecting a user input on the
user interface; and g) in dependence of the user input, switching
between an operational mode in which step a) is carried out by
randomly selecting the specific shooting style or location, and an
operational mode in which step a) is carried out by reading
information from the memory pertaining to the specific shooting
style or location, the information being comprised in a predefined
shooting style or location sequence stored in the memory.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further
understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference
to the following written specification, claims and appended
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic display
unit mounted on the wrist of a basketball player, according to the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the electronic display unit of FIG.
1, according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the electronic display unit of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 3A is a left side elevation view of the electronic display
unit of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the electronic display unit of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of an electronic display unit,
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an exemplary shot detector according
to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shot detector of FIG. 5, in an
assembled state;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the shot detector of FIG. 6,
showing exemplary dimensions;
FIG. 8A is a front elevation view of the shot detector of FIG. 6,
showing exemplary dimensions;
FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the shot detector of FIG. 6,
shown being mounted to a basketball hoop from the ground with a
telescoping pole, according to the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a shot detector mounted to a
basketball hoop using a mounting mechanism including a magnet,
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a shot detector mounted to a
basketball hoop using an alternative bracket mount, according to
yet another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the shot detector and
basketball hoop of FIG. 11; and
FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 are front elevation views of the electronic
display unit of FIG. 1, showing shooting locations on a symbolic
half court on the display, and statistical shooting data when
operating the unit in a program mode, a play mode, and a review
mode, respectively, in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature
and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the
application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein,
the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described
herein as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
All of the implementations described below are exemplary
implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to
make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended
to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the
claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any
expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical
field, background, brief summary or the following detailed
description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices
and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described
in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of
the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence,
specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to
the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as
limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
For both descriptive and illustrative purposes, the term
"basketball goal" as used herein, refers to a circular metal rim or
hoop that is mounted to a generally vertical surface, often
referred to as a backboard. The backboard may comprise a generally
square or rectangular surface made of metal, fiberglass, acrylic,
or tempered glass. A netting material, often constructed from a
cotton or vinyl material, is suspended from the hoop. The diameter
of the hoop is larger than that of a basketball to allow the ball
to fall through the hoop and netting. The term "missed basketball
shot" is defined by a basketball that has come into contact with a
basketball hoop or backboard but has not passed through the hoop.
The term "made basketball shot" is defined by a basketball that may
or may not have come into contact with a basketball hoop or
backboard, and that has passed through the hoop to result in
points.
The basketball shot tracking system of the present invention
comprises a hands-free-portable electronic device and a shot
detector. The term "hands-free-portable device" is used throughout
the present document to refer to a device that can be worn on the
user's body or carried by the user without the need of using his or
her hands (e.g., carried in a pocket). In other words, the user is
able to wear or carry the hands-free-portable electronic device
while his or her hands remain entirely free for playing basketball.
In turn, the shot detector is to be installed on the basketball
backboard, hoop, net, or any combination thereof, in accordance
with different embodiments of the invention, as will be
explained.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like elements are represented by
like numerals throughout, exemplary embodiments of the invention
are depicted in which the hands-free-portable electronic device is
a wrist-wearable device that the player can wear on his or her
wrist while playing basketball, as shown in FIG. 1. The
wrist-wearable device is provided with a display, and referred to
generally as display unit 10 throughout the present description.
The display unit 10 allows monitoring and recording basketball shot
accuracy for real-time feedback and long term tracking. In
addition, the depicted embodiments include a shot detector 40 such
as that of FIG. 6 for sensing and detecting basketball shots made
on a basketball hoop. The shot detector 40 is in wireless
communication with the wrist-mountable display unit 10. In
addition, the system can include a telescoping mounting pole 80
such as that of FIG. 9 for mounting the shot detector 40 to a
basketball hoop. The wrist mountable electronic display unit 10 is
in wireless communication with the shot detector 40 using RF (radio
frequency) technology.
The structural features of the programmable electronic display unit
10 are better illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. With reference to FIG.
1, the wireless basketball shot tracking system includes the
aforementioned electronic display unit 10 configured to be
removably secured to the wrist of an individual with comfort and
ease. The electronic display unit 10 is lightweight, compact, and
does not restrict a wearer's ability to play with a basketball 11
with the use of both hands. Display unit 10 allows a user to view
data shown on a display with a slight rotation of the wrist,
similar to viewing time on a wrist watch.
As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic wrist-mounted display unit 10 of
the present embodiment includes a rubberized front housing 12
including a number of openings for receiving corresponding input
buttons or keys 14. In addition, the display unit 10 includes an
LCD, LED or other applicable display 16 for displaying a symbolic
representation of a basketball half-court along with spot location
and shooting data, and a circuit board 18 including the necessary
operating electronics such as one or more processors for processing
data, memory for storing data, and a wireless RF receiver. A
processor is understood to encompass any one of a microprocessor,
microcontroller, DSP, or any applicable digital processing unit or
combination thereof. The display unit 10 further includes a power
source 20, a rear housing 22 having a rubber coating, a rubber
battery door 24, and a number of screws 25 for assembling the
structural components together to provide a small, compact,
waterproof display unit 10.
The display unit 10 also includes a wrist attachment 26 for firmly
securing the display unit 10 to an individual's wrist. The wrist
attachment 26 comprises a strap constructed from any one of
plastic, elastic, rubber, fabric, nylon, leather, or other suitable
material. The strap may comprise any suitable length and width, and
may also include a cushioning material such as foam or rubber to
enhance the comfort level when wearing the unit 10 on the wrist. A
fastener is used to firmly secure the wrist attachment 26 onto an
individual's wrist. Exemplary fasteners may include, but are not
limited to, adjustable fasteners, hook and loop (Velcro.RTM.),
quick release buckles, metal crimps, snaps, magnets, or any other
suitable fastener.
Turning to FIGS. 3 and 3A, there is shown a front and side view,
respectively, of the display unit 10, in accordance with the
present invention. Preferably, the display unit 10 is small enough
to comfortably fit on an individual's wrist with ease. To meet this
accommodation, in one exemplary embodiment, the display unit 10 is
3.25 inches in length, L, 2.25 inches in height, H, and 0.5 inches
in width, W. The exemplary dimensions of the display unit 10
results in a functionally compact display unit 10 that can be
comfortably worn a person's wrist without restricting the use of
the arms or hands, or the ability to program the display unit 10.
The preferably large display 16 provides viewing the display with
ease. It should be noted that specified dimensions provided herein
are for illustrative purposes only, and the function or practice of
the invention is not limited by any specific dimension.
With the advent of advancing technologies, compact circuitry,
smaller power sources, and enhanced displays may help reduce the
overall size of the display unit 10. The display unit 10 may use a
flexible circuit board with mounted electronic components,
integrated circuit technology, or utilize chip on board technology
to help save space and reduce costs.
The illustration of FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the
electronic wrist-mountable display unit 10, in accordance with the
present invention. As the figure illustrates, display unit 10
includes two horizontal bars 13, 15 attached to the outer surface
of the battery door 24 and aligned vertically with each other to
define a pair of wrist strap apertures for receiving the wrist
attachment 26 there through. Each wrist strap aperture is slightly
wider than the width of the wrist attachment 26 allowing the
attachment 26 to slide freely through the apertures. The functional
combination of the horizontal bars 13, 15 and wrist attachment 26
operate to firmly hold the electronic display unit 10 onto the
wrist of a user.
The display unit 10 includes a front housing 12, rear housing 22,
and rubber door 24 that are preferably constructed from ABS
(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) which provides a strong, durable
and lightweight material. Advantageously, display unit 10 is
waterproof to prevent damage from water or sweat often resulting
from player's rigorous activity. The display unit 10 includes
rounded, smooth edges and corners to provide an ergonomically
design that adds comfort and provides safety during use. The
aesthetic appearance of the display unit 10 may be enhanced by
providing a housing 24 that comes in a variety of different colors,
designs, or patterns. The display unit 10 may also include markings
or indicia such as the figure of a basketball player shooting a
basketball, or mountable orientation markers, etc.
As seen in FIG. 4, the wrist-mountable display unit 10 further
includes a USB (universal serial bus) port shown at 28. In one
exemplary embodiment, the USB port 28 is situated on top of the
display unit 10 to allow easy access to the USB port; however, it
will be noted that the USB port 28 may be situated anywhere on the
display unit 10. The USB port 28 allows stored data within the
display unit 10 to be uploaded to an external computer, or to an
external storage device such as a flash memory stick, hard drive,
or CD. In one example, the display unit 10 may be coupled to a
computer (not shown) to upload data to the computer for processing,
viewing or manipulating data. Display unit 10 may also be coupled
to a printer (not shown) for printing shot data of a basketball
shooting session, or a historical data log. In alternative
embodiments, the display unit 10 may include additional or
alternative communications port, which may be wired or wireless,
for transmitting and/or receiving digital information to and/or
from an external electronic device. For instance, the display unit
10--or hands-free-portable device in general--can include
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet or other communications port(s) for
establishing a data transfer with a local or remote device. The
communications port(s) may comprise the necessary software
instructions to operate over the Internet or other private or
public networks, or allow for any type of alternative connection
with one or more external devices, in order for the devices to
upload and/or download data from and/or to the display unit 10 or
other hands-free-portable device.
Display unit 10 can also include a recharging port and/or docking
station (not shown) that allows a user to recharge the power source
of display unit 10. For example, the recharging port may be
electrically interfaced with the charging docking station, or
simply comprise an electrical receptacle for charging the display
unit 10, via, an AC adapter. The power source 20 may include a
rechargeable or non-rechargeable power source. In one non-limiting
example, the power source 20 includes a lithium ion battery or
batteries.
The illustration of FIG. 5 shows a front view of a display unit 100
in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present
invention. Display unit 100 includes a wrist strap attached to a
durable, waterproof body 110. Display unit 100 is configured to
resemble the physical attributes of a wrist watch providing for a
smaller, more compact device that is comfortably worn on the wrist
of a player. Similar to display unit 10, display unit 100 includes
a display 116 for providing a symbolic image or layout of a
basketball half court, a navigation button 114 (shown as "NEXT"),
an enter button 115, and a mode button 119 for selecting the
various modes of operation that include the program mode, play
mode, review mode and random mode, as described further below.
Display unit 100 also includes indicia, disposed on the housing, to
identify the program selection (PROG), shots made (SHOTS), goals
made (GOAL) and the session being played (SESSION). Unit 100
further includes an airball button 118 that allows a user to record
missed shots in the event an airball is thrown and the airball
misses the rim 71, backboard 74 or shot detector 40. On such
occasions, a user can simply depress the airball button 118 to
individually record all missed shots during playing sessions.
Similarly to the previous embodiment, display unit 100 also
includes a USB port (not shown) to upload and/or download data or
information to and/or from a computer or external memory.
Although display units 10 and 100 are described to include a wrist
strap so as to attach the display unit 10, 100 to an individual's
wrist, it will be noted that the display units 10, 100 will operate
to record overall shooting percentages of made basketball shots and
missed basketball shots when the display units 10, 100 are not
mounted to the wrist of an individual. A person can place the
display unit 10, 100 in a bag, on the ground, in a pocket, or near
the playing surface, and continue to register and record made and
missed basketball shots. This feature may be beneficial for those
individuals who do not feel comfortable wearing the display unit
10, 100 on their wrist.
With reference now made to FIG. 6, there is shown an exploded view
of a wireless basketball shot detector 40 having a mounting element
including a magnet, in accordance with the present invention. Shot
detector 40 is implemented to detect made basketball shots and
missed basketball shots and to transmit that information to the
display unit 10, via a transmitter. In one embodiment, shot
detector 40 includes a mounting system that generally entails four
parts: an L-shaped bracket 42, a circuit housing 45, an activator
or paddle 44, and an attachment 54. The L-shaped bracket 42 and the
circuit housing 45 form a main body of the shot detector 40. The
L-shaped bracket 42 includes a horizontal member 41 integrally
formed with a vertical member 39, and is preferably fabricated from
aluminum, stainless steel or a galvanized metal, to resist rusting
over time. However, it will be noted that the L-shaped bracket 42
may be fabricated from steel, a durable plastic or metal. Vertical
member 39 includes an elongated, horizontal aperture 43 sized for
receiving paddle posts 47, 51, as is better illustrated in FIG. 6,
and holes for mounting the electronic circuit housing 45 to the
L-shaped bracket 42 via, mounting screws 56.
Circuit housing 45 includes a front panel 46 having a pair of posts
47, 51 spaced apart from each other along a same horizontal axis
and extending forward, a circuit board 48 having the necessary
working electronics that include a circuit board 48 for mounting
thereon one or more vibration sensors 49, and an RF transmitter for
electrically transmitting data signals to a wireless RF receiver
that is located within display unit 10, 100. Circuitry housing 45
further includes a back panel 50, a power source 52 electrically
coupled to the circuit board 48 to power the one or more vibration
sensors 49, RF transmitter and other functional electronics. Power
source 52 may comprise rechargeable or non-rechargeable power
sources. In one non-limiting example, the power source 52 includes
AA or AAA batteries. Circuit housing 45 also includes a closure 53
for securing the power source 52 within a battery holding chamber.
The closure 53, rear panel 50 and front panel 46 are assembled
together to encase the power source 52 and circuit board 48 in a
durable, waterproof enclosure. The circuit housing 45 is fastened
to the inner surface of the vertical member 39 via, screws 56 such
that posts the 47, 51 extend through the elongated, horizontal
aperture 43.
Paddle or activator 44 includes a proximal end and a distal end
having a rounded contour. The proximal end is pivotably attached to
posts 47, 51 via, a biasing element (not shown). When a basketball
is thrown from a shooting location on the basketball court and
enters the basketball hoop 71, the ball engages paddle 44, and a
downward force is applied to the paddle 44 forcing the paddle to
pivot downward resulting in a signal being generated. The generated
signal is transmitted to the display unit 10, 100 via a RF
transmitter. When the basketball has cleared the swinging angle of
the paddle 44, the biasing element, such as a spring or tension
element, forces the paddle 44 to spring back to a generally,
horizontal position ready to detect any subsequent downward force
generated from a basketball passing through a basketball hoop 71.
Paddle 44 can be fabricated from metal, steel, plastic or aluminum.
In one non-limiting embodiment, paddle 44 is transparent to
camouflage the view of the paddle 44 when the shot detector 40 is
mounted to the hoop or rim 71 of a basketball goal 70, as better
illustrated in FIG. 10.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the L-shaped bracket 42 includes a raised
circular rim 57, formed on the inner surface of the horizontal
member 41 that defines a receptacle for receiving an attachment 54
therein. The attachment 54 is contained within the receptacle by
adhesive, contact glue, or non-conductive solder. In the preferred
embodiment, attachment 54 comprises a round, neodymium magnet. The
magnet 54 allows a user to temporarily secure the shot detector 40
to a basketball hoop 71 without difficulty.
Circuit housing 45 further includes a pole receptacle 60 having a
generally rectangular or square aperture for receiving the tip end
of a telescoping pole 80 for temporarily mounting the wireless
basketball shot detector 40 on a basketball rim plate from the
ground. The aperture of the pole receptacle 60 is deep enough to
prevent the shot detector 40 from swaying or easily falling off the
tip end of the pole 80. Alternatively, pole receptacle 60 may
include a friction engagement (not shown) such as a spring clip,
spring detents, ball detents or the like to help secure the shot
detector 40 on the tip end of the pole 80 to prevent the shot
detector 40 from falling off the tip end of the pole 80 when the
shot detector 40 is being installed on or removed from rim 71.
Exemplary dimensions of the shot detector 40 are provided in FIGS.
8 and 8A. In the non-limiting embodiment, the contact paddle 44 is
5 inches in length, L1, and the L-shaped bracket 42 includes a
horizontal member 41 that is 3.5 inches in length, L2, and a
vertical member 39 that is 2 inches in height H. The exemplary
width, W, of the vertical member 39 is 3 inches. Shot detector 40
is dimensionally sized to be attached to the rim plate 73 of a
basketball hoop 71 by magnet 54. To illustrate again, paddle 44
extends partially within a central region of the hoop 71, along a
horizontal axis, as better illustrated in FIG. 10. It should be
noted that specified dimensions provided herein are for
illustrative purposes only, and the function or practice of the
shot detector 40 is not limited by any specific dimension.
The illustrations of FIGS. 9 and 10 show a bottom and top
perspective view, respectively, of shot detector 40 being mounted
to the hoop or rim 71 of a basketball goal 70. Basketball goal 70
includes a circular metal rim 71, having a generally horizontal rim
plate 73 that is attached to a backboard 74 and a netting material
suspended from the rim 71 to serve as a basketball net. To mount
the shot detector 40 onto the basketball hoop 71, a user simply
inserts the tip end of a telescoping pole 80 into the pole
receptacle 60 of the shot detector 40 and while standing on the
ground, the person simply elevates the shot detector 40 using the
pole 80 to securely attach the detector 40 to the rim plate 73 of
the hoop 71. The neodymium magnet 54 firmly adheres to the metal
plate 73, as shown in FIG. 10. Once the shot detector 40 is
securely situated, the user can easily remove the tip end of the
pole 80 from receptacle 60.
The illustrations of FIGS. 11, and 12 show a top and bottom
perspective view, respectively, of shot detector 40 including an
alternative mounting system for attaching the shot detector 40 to
the rim 71 of a basketball goal. In this alternative embodiment,
shot detector 40 includes a bracket style mounting system 75
including a bracket 75 having a rim member 76. Rim member 76
includes a generally horizontal, inverted U-shaped channel that is
sized to slip securely over rim 71. The inverted U-shaped channel
follows the dimensional contour of the rim 71. As shown in FIG. 11,
bracket 75 is attached to the shot detector housing 45 by two
extension members 77a and 77b that are integrally formed with rim
member 76. Preferably, bracket 75 is constructed from aluminum but
may be constructed from other materials such as metal, steel, or a
hard, durable plastic. Bracket 75 may snap onto rim 71 or
alternatively, bracket 75 may include fasteners to secure the
bracket 75 to the rim 71.
As referenced in FIG. 13, the electronic wrist-mountable display
unit 10, 100 includes a display 16 for displaying, shooting
locations on a basketball half-court, and statistical data
including shooting session dates, percentages and ratios of made
basketball shots and missed basketball shots. The electronic
display unit 10, 100 is programmable to customize basketball
shooting locations and to review shooting data by providing four
operative modes that include a program mode, a play mode, a review
mode, and a random mode. Each operative mode is selected by a mode
button 19, 119 and an enter button 14b, 115 and navigating within
each mode is provided by left, right and next buttons 14a, 14c,
114, respectively.
Program Mode
With continued reference to FIG. 13, the display unit 10, 100 is
originally powered on by pressing and holding the mode button 19,
119. Once the electronic display unit 10, 100 is powered, the user
sequentially depresses the mode button 19, 119 to select program
mode. The type of mode selected is shown on the display 16, 116
along with a symbolic representation of a basketball half court.
The symbolic outline of the half court, shown on the display 16,
116, corresponds to a physical basketball half court.
In program mode, the user programs the display unit 10, 100 to
store a plurality of programs and a plurality of shooting locations
that are representative of shooting locations on a basketball half
court. Each program is associated with one or more shooting
locations. For example, a first program may include a first
shooting location, and a second shooting location, where the first
shooting location is different than the second shooting location. A
second program may include a third shooting location, a fourth
shooting location, and a fifth shooting location, where all
programmed shooting locations are representative of different
standing locations on a half court of a basketball. The user
depresses the enter key 14b, 115 to enter the programming
parameters. The scrolling keys 14a, and 14c and next key 114 are
used to move between different programs and shooting locations on
the half court. The display unit 10, 100 displays a program
location PL, and a current location option CL. In program mode, a
user enters an X amount of programs and an X amount of shooting
locations. Display unit 10, 100 may be designed to allow a user to
program and store 50 programs and 33 shooting locations, or 15
programs with 50 shooting locations, etc. The amount of programs
and shooting locations that may be entered is defined by the memory
and storage capacity of the display unit 10. Shooting locations and
programs can also be updated or changed using a computer or laptop.
The computer or laptop is electrically coupled to the display unit
10, 100 via, USB port 28.
Play Mode
After programming the wrist-mounted display unit 10, 100 with a
number of different programs and associated shooting locations, the
user is ready to play. The user accesses play mode via, mode button
19, 119. Enter and arrow buttons 115, 14a, 14c, are depressed to
navigate among the many programs that were programmed earlier by a
user during the program mode, and the enter button 14b is depressed
to select a particular preconfigured program desired. Upon
selecting a desired preconfigured program, a blinking indicator 21
appears on the display 16, 116 to indicate to the user a shooting
location on the symbolic half court from which the user is to shoot
the basketball from, as illustrated in FIG. 14. The blinking
indicator 21 identifies shooting locations that were programmed
earlier by the user during the program mode. The player views the
blinking indicator 21, and physically stands on the basketball
court at the location shown on the symbolic half court of the
display 16, 116. The indicated shooting location corresponds to the
physical shooting location on the basketball half court. The
symbolic half court diagram and blinking indicator 21 both provide
a combinational tool to help a user to improve his or her shooting
skills from different locations on a real basketball court. Once
the program parameters are satisfied, a player selects a subsequent
preconfigured program by simply depressing the navigating keys 14a,
14b and 14c.
During play mode, a number of basketball shots are made with a
basketball from a number of different shooting locations. The user
moves from place to place on the half court by selecting different
programs that were pre-programmed by the user. Made basketball
shots are detected via, paddle 44 of shot detector 40, and a
wireless signal representing the made shot is transmitted to the
display unit 10, 100 and stored therein. Missed basketball shots
are also detected, via, a vibration sensor located in the shot
detector 40, and a wireless signal representing the missed shot is
transmitted to the display unit 10, 100 and stored therein. Display
unit 10, 100 records and stores the made shots and missed shots. In
play mode, the display unit 10, 100 displays shooting statistics in
percentages or ratios, and the corresponding date or dates, as
denoted at 30.
Play mode also includes a variety of common basketball shooting
games to add an element of additional fun for users. Such games may
include H.O.R.S.E. and Around the World and 5 consecutive shots.
The games can be programmed to allow a user to compete against a
user's previous all-time best. User's may simply select such games
using the mode, and enter buttons 19, 119, 14b, and 115,
respectively.
Random Mode
The electronic wrist-mountable display unit 10, 100 may further
include a random mode, selected by the mode button 19, 119 to
further challenge a player and to randomly provide shooting
locations from which a player must shoot a basketball. In random
mode, display unit 10, 100 randomly generates a blinking indicator
on the symbolic half court on the display 16, 116. The player must
attempt to shoot a basketball from the location specified by the
blinking indicator on the half court. In random mode, a player is
not aware of the next shooting location. The benefit of the random
mode is to interrupt any conditioned pattern of shooting that a
player may have come accustomed to during normal programming and
playing. The random mode continuously challenges the performance
and skills of the player thus training the player to develop well
rounded shooting skills so that player can become proficient at
successfully shooting basketballs from any location on the
basketball court.
Review Mode
A beneficial feature included in the display unit 10, 100 is a
review mode, as shown in FIG. 15. The review mode provides a strong
development tool to a user by allowing a user to review historical
data of shooting sessions to determine whether the person's
shooting skills are improving over time. The ability to review and
analyze data helps to achieve goal improvement. Players are
feasibly able to record shooting statistics which means they can
actually set goals for improvement. Goals have been shown to
increase performance and display unit 10, 100 provides the
essential tool to help goal improvement. Display unit 10, 100 is
capable of storing historical data of percentages or ratios of made
basketball shots and missed basketball shots that occurred on a
particular date or in a particular shooting session. To access
review mode, a user simply depresses the mode button 19, 119 and
enters the review mode by depressing the enter key 14b. The type of
review information such as percentages or ratios of made and missed
shots is accessible along with corresponding dates or shooting
session identifiers. For example, the display unit 10 may show that
82% of the shots were made basketball shots at a particular
shooting location, as denoted by 34 on the display 16, 116, in FIG.
15. The review mode may also provide an all-time review to allow a
user to review all the data over a continuous time period. Display
unit 10, 100 may further include a comparison mode that allows a
person to compare data to help determine shooting weaknesses from
particular locations on the court.
In one embodiment, display unit 10, 100 may include a timer for
timing individual shooting sessions, a temperature sensor for
measuring outside temperature, a stop watch, a built in light for
illuminating the display 16, 116, and a low battery indicator to
show the charge or operating status of the batteries in either or
both of the display unit 10, 100 and/or shot detector 40. In an
alternative embodiment, display unit 10, 100 may also include a
calorie counter to track burnt calories of an individual
player.
In operation, an individual basketball player attaches the shot
detector 40 to the rim 71 of a basketball goal 70 using the
telescoping pole 80. The detector 40 is elevated from the ground
with the pole 80 and the shot detector 40 is situated on the rim
plate 73 of the hoop 71 where the shot detector 40 adheres to the
rim plate 73 by magnet 54. The telescoping pole 80 is subsequently
removed and stored.
The user secures the display unit 10, 100 to the wrist using the
wrist attachment 26. The display unit 10, 100 may be secured to
either wrist, however, the display unit 10, 100 may be worn on a
user's non-shooting wrist so as not to interfere with the person's
shooting motion. With a finger of one hand, the user begins to
program the display unit 10, 100 where the player enters a number
of programs and a number of shooting locations, each program being
associated with one or more shooting location on a basketball half
court. To begin a shooting session, the player enters the play mode
by depressing the mode 19, 119 button on the display unit 10, 100,
respectively. Upon selecting a pre-entered program, a blinking
indicator is shown on the symbolic half court which is displayed on
the display 16, 116 of the display unit 10, 100. The player
physically stands on the playing surface at the spot
correspondingly identified by the blinking indicator on the display
16, 116 and attempts to shoot a basketball into a hoop 71 of a goal
70 from the indicated location. Three operative measurements are
made to determine whether the shot was a made basketball shot or a
missed basketball shot.
The three operative measurements include a vibration measurement, a
vibration-paddle measurement, and a paddle measurement. In a
vibration measurement, when the basketball hits the rim 71 or
backboard 74 of the basketball hoop 70, the vibrations are measured
by one or more vibration sensors 49 disposed within the shot
detector 40. When the vibration sensor 49 is activated, a signal is
generated, and the generated signal is transmitted to the display
unit 10, 100 via a RF transmitter. The RF receiver of the display
unit 10, 100 receives the transmitted signal and processes the
signal to determine a missed basketball shot. The information is
recorded and stored in memory. In the event a ball is not heavy
enough to activate the vibrations sensor or sensors 49 when the
ball hits the rim 71 or backboard 74, a user may activate an
airball button 118 located on the display unit 10, 100 to record a
missed shot.
In a vibration-paddle measurement, when a basketball comes in
contact with the rim 71 or backboard 74, the vibration sensor 49
senses the impact and generates a signal. As the ball continues to
pass through hoop 71, the ball engages paddle sensor 44 and paddle
sensor 44 pivots to generate a signal. Both signals are
transmitted, via the RF transmitter, to the RF receiver for
processing the signals to determine a made basketball shot. The
display unit 10, 100 may include a set amount of time between the
vibration sensor 49 and the paddle 44, such as 3 seconds. If the
vibration sensor 49 in the shot detector 40 senses a vibration but
the basketball does not activate the paddle 44 during the set three
seconds, the display unit 10, 100 processes the signal to determine
a missed basketball shot. The information is recorded and stored in
memory.
In a paddle measurement, when a basketball passes directly through
the hoop 71, but does not come in contact with the rim 71 or
backboard 74 to trigger the vibration sensor 49, the paddle 44 is
activated to generate a signal. The RF transmitter transmits the
signal to the receiver of display unit 10, where the display unit
10, 100 processes the signal to determine a made basketball shot.
The information is recorded and stored in memory. It will be noted
that the recorded data is stamped with a time and/or date, and may
also be stamped with a shooting session identifier. Thus, made
basketball shots, missed basketball shots and dates are recorded
and stored in the display unit 10. Shot data may also include
shooting locations the basketball was thrown from.
Shot detector 40 wirelessly transmits data, via a transmitter, to
the display unit 10. The display unit 10, 100 receives the data
via, a receiver, and processes the information to determine whether
a basketball was successfully made or missed. Shot data is
collected during a shooting or playing session and the data is
stored in memory to provide real-time and long-term tracking. The
data may be uploaded to a computer via, USB port 28, for processing
the data, storing the data, transferring the data or for generating
data charts or graphs. The wireless tracking system of the present
invention may include receivers/transmitters or transceivers for
providing RF communication between a shot detector 40 and display
unit 10, 100. The wireless tracking system may include any type of
wireless transmission technology, including, but not limited to,
Wi-Fi, 3G, 2G, 2.5G, 4G, WiMax, and Bluetooth technology.
In an alternative embodiment, display unit 10, 100 may incorporate
the use of motion technology. For example, display unit 10, 100 may
include an accelerometer to provide spatial data as to when and
possibly where a user is shooting the basketball. The motion
technology system could use infrared technology, or wireless
communication. The motion technology provides the ability to track
the shooting data of a user without the user relying on the
directive instructions provided by display unit 10, 100.
The embodiments described with reference to the figures include a
hands-free-portable device that is wearable on a person's wrist.
Alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the
hands-free-portable device can be a carry-on device such as a
smartphone, a portable media player, and a PDA. Further, the
hands-free-portable device can be an electronic device that is
wearable on any body part of a user, such as an arm, leg, ankle,
waist, neck, face or head.
The invention further contemplates a non-transitory
processor-readable medium having processor-executable instructions
stored thereon that, when executed by an electronic processor,
cause the hands-free-portable electronic device processor to carry
out the method claimed herein. Generally, the processor-executable
instructions are downloaded from the processor-readable medium,
either locally (e.g., through a USB port, a Bluetooth connection,
or a Wi-Fi connection) or remotely (e.g., through the Internet), to
the hands-free-portable electronic device. For instance, it is
contemplated that an application may be downloaded and installed in
a smartphone or similar operating-system-provided electronic
device, so that running the installed application causes the
smartphone or device to function as a hands-free-portable
electronic device as claimed herein.
As to the shot detector, alternative embodiments are contemplated
in which the shot detector may not include a paddle. In general,
the shot detector may comprise one or more physical devices which
can be placed on the backboard, the hoop, or both. The shot
detector includes at least one of a vibration sensor, an activator,
an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic motion sensor and a motion
detector. For instance, the shot detector may consist of several
vibration sensors arranged on the backboard and a motion detector
facing the inside of the hoop, to detect passing of the ball.
Alternatively, the shot detector may consist of motion detectors
facing the inside of the loop and additional motion detectors
facing the outside of the loop. In alternative embodiments, the
shot detector can consist of ultrasonic motion sensor(s) facing
into the hoop, out of the hoop and on the backboard area.
Furthermore, the shot detector can consist of an infrared sensor
emitting a laser beam across the hoop, the laser beam being
reflected on a device arranged opposite to the infrared sensor, the
sensor detecting reflection of the laser beam except when a ball
passes through (interruption of detection thereby indicating a made
shot).
The display unit embodiments explained heretofore include a visual
user interface, i.e., a user interface capable of providing visual
indications or images to the user (via display 16, 116). In
general, however, it is contemplated that the hands-free-portable
device shall include a user interface configured to provide sensory
indications of any sort that the user is able to perceive while
playing basketball. Particularly, an alternative embodiment is
contemplated in which the hands-free-portable device includes a
user interface comprising a sound emitter, wherein the sound
emitter is configured to emit sounds to indicate where the next
shot should be taken from; examples of sound emitters are a
speaker, a buzzer, a beeper, a mechanical ringer, etc. For
instance, the hands-free-portable device memory may include stored
audio recordings of voice indications instructing where to shoot
from (e.g., "take a central three-point shot"), and a speaker may
emit the recordings to indicate the player where the next shot is
to be taken. Further embodiments are contemplated in which the
hands-free-portable device includes a user interface comprising one
or more haptic actuators (e.g., vibrators), to provide tactile
indications to the player on where to take the next shot from. For
instance, the hands-free-portable device could generate a single
vibration pulse to instruct the player to take a one-point free
throw or foul shot, two consecutive pulses to instruct the player
to take a two-point shot, and three consecutive pulses to instruct
the player to attempt a three-pointer. Combinations of visual,
audio and haptic user interfaces are also envisaged.
In certain embodiments, the hands-free-portable device including a
display may view alternative or complementary images to that of
half a basketball court. For instance, the display can view an
entire basketball court, and provide visual indications on any part
of the court. Alternatively, the display can view any portion of a
basketball court (e.g., the free-throw circle). In further
embodiments, the hands-free-portable device can display videos to
indicate the player where to shoot from, and even how to shoot
(e.g., view a short clip of a player carrying out a hook shot, or a
layup). The display can also show text indicating where to shoot
from. Combinations thereof are also envisaged.
In addition, it is contemplated that the visual, audible and/or
tactile user interface can provide sensory indications as to how to
shoot, in addition to, or alternatively to, sensory indications on
where to shoot from. For instance, a visual user interface display
or audio emitter can instruct the user to carry out at "HOOK",
"BANK", "LAYUP", "RUNNER", "TURNAROUND", "LEFTHAND", "RIGHTHAND",
just to name a few. This provides further possibilities in helping
basketball players train.
The display unit embodiments explained heretofore include buttons
to allow the user to operate the unit. In general, it is
contemplated that the hands-free-portable electronic device can
include a user interface that is operable by the user to provide
inputs to the hands-free-portable electronic device processor. For
instance, the hands-free-portable device may alternatively include
a tactile display that the user can touch to operate the device.
The hands-free-portable device may include a voice recognition
function that allows the user to provide voice instructions to the
hands-free-portable device. Any combination thereof is also
envisaged. User action on the user interface allows the user to
operate the device for any applicable action. In particular, user
action on the user interface can cause the hands-free-portable
device processor to switch between the play mode, in which shooting
location indications are generated according to a predefined
program, and the random mode, in which shooting locations
indications are selected and generated randomly.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be
made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is
intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in
the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in
a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be
determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
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